Erik Jacobs for the Boston Globe

At The Farm School in Athol, student farmer Sarah Habeck of Middletown, N.J., fed hay to Patience, a Jersey cow, during a morning milking in October.

Erik Jacobs for the Boston Globe

Dina Rudick, the wife of Erik Jacobs, squirted milk into the coffee of student farmer Sarah Habeck of Middletown, N.J., while helping out with milking chores.

Erik Jacobs for the Boston Globe

Erik Jacobs split wood for the farm's wood-fired boiler last month.

Erik Jacobs for the Boston Globe

Farm School staff member Josh Buell demonstrated how to use an angle grinder.

Erik Jacobs for the Boston Globe

Student farmers cleaned garlic.

Erik Jacobs for the Boston Globe

In November, a staff member held a slaughtered turkey in a killing cone to let it bleed out.

Erik Jacobs for the Boston Globe

Tess Morningstar (left), of Hopkinton and Eliza Homes of Orange harvested kale for CSA customers at The Farm School in Athol in October.